MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football practiced in shells for nearly two hours Wednesday morning, its third straight day in shells since last Saturday’s scrimmage, as the Jaguars prepared for their second scrimmage of preseason camp.
Head coach Joey Jones said the team pushed through fatigue during the session.
“I thought we fought through pretty well, the guys were a little fatigued — we’ve talked about that the last few days — but they have a good spirit about them,” Jones said. “It’s been fun to watch them get better, we’ve got several guys on this team who have improved. If we continue to do that we’ll be going in the right direction.”
Jones: ‘We’re Ready for a Scrimmage’
Asked whether the team was prepared for Saturday’s scrimmage, Jones said there is always work to be done.
“I don’t know if you’re ever satisfied, there is always something to work on and something to get better at, but we’re ready for a scrimmage,” he said. “Our guys would rather do that than practice, that’s for sure, but they are doing the necessary things in practice to make them good in scrimmages and games, and that’s what counts.”
Jones said the defense is beginning to develop depth behind its starters, including newcomers with limited playing experience.
“We feel that our starters have really got it, but now we are starting to find depth,” Jones said. “It just takes time sometimes. You have transfers coming in who might have been here in the spring where they have had spring practice, summer workouts and two weeks of camp, those guys need more reps. They are going to continue to get better, so we just have to do a good job as coaches getting them reps and helping them improve.”
Players of the Day
Wide receiver Nathan Sassaman was named offensive player of the day. Offensive coordinator Robert Matthews said Sassaman has been learning both inside and outside receiver positions.
“During team periods today he came away with three really big catches where he ran good routes and got himself open,” Matthews said. “He’s a kid who works every day, he’s a wonderful young man and he’s really gotten better. I’m proud of him.”
Margo Reed earned defensive player of the day honors. “This kid is absolutely playing lights out,” defensive coordinator Travis Pearson said. “He’s still learning, but every day Margo comes out here and gets my attention, there is something he does that I see and say, ‘This kid made another play.’ I’m excited to see if he can sustain that throughout this camp and take it into the season.”
Davin Hawkins was named play of the day for a leaping deflection during 7-on-7 drills on a pass that Reed nearly intercepted with a diving attempt. Hawkins broke up another pass later in 7-on-7 work and stopped running back Kendall Houston in the backfield during the final team period.
Practice Notes
- The defense worked on blitz packages in the first team session while the offense practiced blitz pickup.
- Sassaman caught four passes over the two team periods, three of them against the blitz.
- Maleki Harris recorded the session’s only turnover, stepping in front of a pass for an interception on the first play of the final team segment.
- Quarterback Brandon Bridge threw two touchdown passes in 7-on-7 work: a 40-yarder to Tony Ray Parnell and a 6-yarder to Marvin Shinn.
Scrimmage Saturday in Fairhope
The Jaguars return to the practice field Thursday. Saturday’s scrimmage will be held at Fairhope Municipal Park and Stadium beginning at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.
